Methods and systems for ultrasound imaging

ABSTRACT

A system (e.g., an ultrasound imaging system) is provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire three dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region of interest (ROI). The system further includes a display, a memory configured to store programmed instructions, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit includes one or more processors. The controller circuit is configured to execute the programmed instructions stored in the memory. When executing the programmed instructions, the controller circuit performs a plurality of operations. The operations includes collecting the 3D ultrasound data from an ultrasound probe and identifying a select set of the 3D ultrasound data corresponding to an object of interest within the volumetric ROI. The operations further include segmenting the object of interest from the select set of the 3D ultrasound data, generating a visualization plane of the object of interest, and displaying the visualization plane on the display.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to generating avisualization plane of an object of interest from an ultrasound volumefor a diagnostic medical imaging system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diagnostic medical imaging systems typically include a scan portion anda control portion having a display. For example, ultrasound imagingsystems usually include ultrasound scanning devices, such as ultrasoundprobes having transducers that are connected to an ultrasound system tocontrol the acquisition of ultrasound data by performing variousultrasound scans (e.g., imaging a volume or body).

The ultrasound systems are controllable to operate in different modes ofoperation to perform different scans, for example, to view anatomicalstructures within the patient such as an endometrium cavity to diagnosemalformations of the uterus (e.g., septate, bicornuate uterus,unicornuate uterus). Conventional ultrasound imaging systems require theuser or technician having high ultrasound expertise to manually alignthree dimensional (3D) ultrasound data along three orthogonal twodimensional (2D) planes. A mid-coronal plane is defined and visualizedbased on the 2D planes, which is utilized to determine a shape of theendometrium cavity. Due to the extensive manual interaction to identifythe 2D mid-coronal plane, the diagnosis is susceptible to operatorvariability. Additionally, the visualization along the mid-coronal planeis static, and may not accurately represent the uterus. Variousembodiments disclosed herein may address one or more of the challengesset forth above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a method (e.g., for generating a visualization planeof an object of interest from an ultrasound volume) is provided. Themethod includes acquiring three dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of avolumetric region of interest (ROI) from an ultrasound probe, andidentifying a select set of the 3D ultrasound data corresponding to anobject of interest within the volumetric ROI. The method furtherincludes segmenting the object of interest from the select set of the 3Dultrasound data, generating a visualization plane of the object ofinterest, and displaying the visualization plane on a display.

In another embodiment a system (e.g., an ultrasound imaging system) isprovided. The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquirethree dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region ofinterest (ROI). The system further includes a display, a memoryconfigured to store programmed instructions, and a controller circuit.The controller circuit includes one or more processors. The controllercircuit is configured to execute the programmed instructions stored inthe memory. When executing the programmed instructions, the controllercircuit performs a plurality of operations. The operations includescollecting the 3D ultrasound data from an ultrasound probe andidentifying a select set of the 3D ultrasound data corresponding to anobject of interest within the volumetric ROI. The operations furtherinclude segmenting the object of interest from the select set of the 3Dultrasound data, generating a visualization plane of the object ofinterest, and displaying the visualization plane on the display.

In another embodiment, a tangible and non-transitory computer readablemedium having one or more computer software modules is provided. Thesoftware modules are configured to direct one or more processors toacquire three dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region ofinterest (ROI) from an ultrasound probe, identify a select set of the 3Dultrasound data corresponding to an object of interest within thevolumetric ROI, segment the object of interest from the select set ofthe 3D ultrasound data, generate a visualization plane of the object ofinterest, and display the visualization plane on a display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an ultrasound imagingsystem, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrate a flowchart of a method for generating a visualizationplane, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detected plate-like structure of 3D ultrasounddata, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an adjusted detected plate-like structure, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a segmentation of an object of interest, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6A-B illustrates a visualization plane with respect to thesegmentation of the object of interest shown in FIG. 5, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a visualization plane, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate different rotations of the visualization planeshown in FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a 3D capable miniaturized ultrasound system having aprobe that may be configured to acquire 3D ultrasonic data ormulti-plane ultrasonic data.

FIG. 11 illustrates a hand carried or pocket-sized ultrasound imagingsystem wherein the display and user interface form a single unit.

FIG. 12 illustrates an ultrasound imaging system provided on a movablebase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of certain embodiments will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To theextent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional modules ofvarious embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarilyindicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Thus, forexample, one or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors ormemories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., ageneral purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory,hard disk, or the like). Similarly, the programs may be stand-aloneprograms, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, maybe functions in an installed software package, and the like. It shouldbe understood that the various embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unlessexplicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having”an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property mayinclude additional elements not having that property.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for an automatedworkflow to localize, segment, and visualize a plane of an object ofinterest based on an ultrasound volume. For example, the object ofinterest may represent an anatomical structure, such as a cavity (e.g.,an endometrium cavity), organ, blood vessel, and/or the like within 3Dultrasound data of a volumetric region of interest. The localization ofthe object of interest may be based on a learning based object detectionframework to identify a structure of the object of interest within a twodimensional (2D) slice of the 3D ultrasound data. The identifiedstructure of the object of interest is utilized to initialize a 3Dsegmentation procedure using deformable models, which can be visualizedas a 3D visualization of the object of interest. Based on the 3Dvisualization, malformations (e.g., uterine malformations) of the objectof interest can be identified based on an overall shape of the object ofinterest represented as the 3D visualization. Additionally oralternatively, a visualization plane of the object of interest can becalculated using a least square surface fitting technique. For example,the visualization plane may correspond to a mid-coronal surface of theuterine cavity. The visualization plane may be visualized using atexture mapping algorithm, which highlights the morphology and structureof the object of interest at different axes.

A technical effect of at least one embodiment described herein reducesoperator dependency by performing automated alignments and reducesprocedure times. A technical effect of at least one embodiment describedherein enhances the diagnostic accuracy. A technical effect of at leastone embodiment described herein enables the user to visualize avisualization plane, such as a mid-coronal plane, from multiple views. Atechnical effect of at least one embodiment described herein allows auser to visualize and identify structural deformations in 3D, which maynot be accurately represented in a 2D projection used in conventionaldiagnostic medical imaging systems.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a diagnostic medical imaging system,specifically, an ultrasound imaging system 100. The ultrasound imagingsystem 100 includes an ultrasound probe 126 having a transmitter 122 andprobe/SAP electronics 110. Optionally, the ultrasound probe 126 may bean intra-cavity ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound dataor information within an object of interest, such as a cavity (e.g.,vaginal cavity, uterine cavity, ear canal, rectal cavity, endometriumcavity, and/or the like) proximate to and/or containing a region ofinterest (e.g., organ, blood vessel, uterus, and/or the like) of thepatient for generating one or more ultrasound images.

The ultrasound probe 126 is communicatively coupled to the controllercircuit 136 via the transmitter 122. The transmitter 122 transmits asignal to a transmit beamformer 121 based on acquisition settingsreceived by the user. The signal transmitted by the transmitter 122 inturn drives the transducer elements 124 within the transducer array 112.The transducer elements 124 emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into apatient (e.g., a body). The transducer array 112 may have a variety ofarray geometries and configurations for the transducer elements 124which may be provided as part of, for example, different types ofultrasound probes 126. Further, the array 112 of transducer elements 124may be provided as part of, for example, different types of ultrasoundprobes. Optionally, the ultrasound probe 126 may include one or moretactile buttons (not shown).

The acquisition settings may define an amplitude, pulse width,frequency, and/or the like of the ultrasonic pulses emitted by thetransducer elements 124. The acquisition settings may be adjusted by theuser by selecting a gain setting, power, time gain compensation (TGC),resolution, and/or the like from the user interface 142.

The transducer elements 124, for example piezoelectric crystals, emitpulsed ultrasonic signals into a body (e.g., patient) or volumecorresponding to the acquisition settings along one or more scan planes.The ultrasonic signals may include, for example, one or more referencepulses, one or more pushing pulses (e.g., shear-waves), and/or one ormore pulsed wave Doppler pulses. At least a portion of the pulsedultrasonic signals back-scatter from the region of interest (ROI) toproduce echoes. The echoes are delayed in time and/or frequencyaccording to a depth or movement, and are received by the transducerelements 124 within the transducer array 112. The ultrasonic signals maybe used for imaging, for generating and/or tracking shear-waves, formeasuring changes in position or velocity within the ROI, differences incompression displacement of the tissue (e.g., strain), and/or fortherapy, among other uses.

The probe/SAP electronics 110 may be used to control the switching ofthe transducer elements 124. The probe/SAP electronics 110 may also beused to group the transducer elements 124 into one or moresub-apertures.

The transducer elements 124 convert the received echo signals intoelectrical signals which may be received by a receiver 128. The receiver128 may include one or more amplifiers, an analog to digital converter(ADC), and/or the like. The receiver 128 may be configured to amplifythe received echo signals after proper gain compensation and convertthese received analog signals from each transducer element 124 todigitized signals sampled uniformly in time. The digitized signalsrepresenting the received echoes are stored on memory 140, temporarily.The digitized signals correspond to the backscattered waves receives byeach transducer element 124 at various times. After digitization, thesignals still may preserve the amplitude, frequency, phase informationof the backscatter waves.

Optionally, the controller circuit 136 may retrieve the digitizedsignals stored in the memory 140 to prepare for the beamformer processor130. For example, the controller circuit 136 may convert the digitizedsignals to baseband signals or compressing the digitized signals.

The beamformer processor 130 may include one or more processors.Optionally, the beamformer processor 130 may include a centralcontroller circuit (CPU), one or more microprocessors, or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Additionally or alternatively, thebeamformer processor 130 may execute instructions stored on a tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 140) forbeamforming calculations using any suitable beamforming method such asadaptive beamforming, synthetic transmit focus, aberration correction,synthetic aperture, clutter reduction and/or adaptive noise control,and/or the like.

The beamformer processor 130 may further perform filtering anddecimation, such that only the digitized signals corresponding torelevant signal bandwidth is used, prior to beamforming of the digitizeddata. For example, the beamformer processor 130 may form packets of thedigitized data based on scanning parameters corresponding to focalzones, expanding aperture, imaging mode (B-mode, color flow), and/or thelike. The scanning parameters may define channels and time slots of thedigitized data that may be beamformed, with the remaining channels ortime slots of digitized data that may not be communicated for processing(e.g., discarded).

The beamformer processor 130 performs beamforming on the digitizedsignals and outputs a radio frequency (RF) signal. The RF signal is thenprovided to an RF processor 132 that processes the RF signal. The RFprocessor 132 may generate different ultrasound image data types, e.g.B-mode, for multiple scan planes or different scanning patterns. The RFprocessor 132 gathers the information (e.g. I/Q, B-mode) related tomultiple data slices and stores the data information, which may includetime stamp and orientation/rotation information, in the memory 140.

Alternatively, the RF processor 132 may include a complex demodulator(not shown) that demodulates the RF signal to form IQ data pairsrepresentative of the echo signals. The RF or IQ signal data may then beprovided directly to the memory 140 for storage (e.g., temporarystorage). Optionally, the output of the beamformer processor 130 may bepassed directly to the controller circuit 136.

The controller circuit 136 may be configured to process the acquiredultrasound data (e.g., RF signal data or IQ data pairs) and identifyselect sets and/or a portion of the ultrasound data within the ROI thatcorresponding to an anatomy of interest. The controller circuit 136 mayinclude one or more processors. Optionally, the controller circuit 136may include a central controller circuit (CPU), one or moremicroprocessors, a graphics controller circuit (GPU), or any otherelectronic component capable of processing inputted data according tospecific logical instructions. Having the controller circuit 136 thatincludes a GPU may be advantageous for computation-intensive operations,such as volume-rendering. Additionally or alternatively, the controllercircuit 136 may execute instructions stored on a tangible andnon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 140) toperform one or more operations as described herein.

The controller circuit 136 may be configured to acquire 3D ultrasounddata of the volumetric ROI from the ultrasound probe 126. The controllercircuit 136 may be configured to identify a select set of the 3Dultrasound data corresponding to the object of interest within thevolumetric ROI. The controller circuit 136 may be configured to segmentthe object of interest from the select set of the 3D ultrasound data,generating a visualization plane of the object of interest, and displaythe visualization plane on the display 138.

The memory 140 may be used for storing ultrasound data such as vectordata, processed frames of acquired ultrasound data that are notscheduled to be displayed immediately or to store post-processed images,firmware or software corresponding to, for example, a graphical userinterface, one or more default image display settings, programmedinstructions (e.g., for the controller circuit 136, the beamformerprocessor 130, the RF processor 132), and/or the like. The memory 140may be a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium such asflash memory, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and/or the like.

In operation, the ultrasound data may include and/or correspond to threedimensional (3D) ultrasound data. The memory 140 may store the 3Dultrasound data, where the 3D ultrasound data or select sets of the 3Dultrasound data are accessed by the controller circuit 136 to generatevisualizations of the object of interest. For example, the 3D ultrasounddata may be mapped into the corresponding memory 140, as well as one ormore visualization planes based on the 3D ultrasound data. Theprocessing of the 3D ultrasound data may be based in part on userinputs, for example, user selections received at the user interface 142.

The controller circuit 136 is operably coupled to a display 138 and auser interface 142. The display 138 may include one or more liquidcrystal displays (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) backlight), organiclight emitting diode (OLED) displays, plasma displays, CRT displays,and/or the like. The display 138 may display patient information,ultrasound images and/or videos, components of a display interface, oneor more 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound image data sets from ultrasound datastored in the memory 140, measurements, diagnosis, treatmentinformation, and/or the like received by the display 138 from thecontroller circuit 136.

The user interface 142 controls operations of the controller circuit 136and is configured to receive inputs from the user. The user interface142 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, one or more physicalbuttons, and/or the like. Optionally, the display 138 may be a touchscreen display, which includes at least a portion of the user interface142.

For example, a portion of the user interface 142 may correspond to agraphical user interface (GUI) generated by the controller circuit 136,which is shown on the display. The GUI may include one or more interfacecomponents that may be selected, manipulated, and/or activated by theuser operating the user interface 142 (e.g., touch screen, keyboard,mouse). The interface components may be presented in varying shapes andcolors, such as a graphical or selectable icon, a slide bar, a cursor,and/or the like. Optionally, one or more interface components mayinclude text or symbols, such as a drop-down menu, a toolbar, a menubar, a title bar, a window (e.g., a pop-up window) and/or the like.Additionally or alternatively, one or more interface components mayindicate areas within the GUI for entering or editing information (e.g.,patient information, user information, diagnostic information), such asa text box, a text field, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the interface components may perform variousfunctions when selected, such as measurement functions, editingfunctions, database access/search functions, diagnostic functions,controlling acquisition settings, and/or system settings for theultrasound imaging system 100 and performed by the controller circuit136.

In connection with FIG. 2, the user may select an interface componentcorresponding to a select scan, which generates a visualization plane ofan object of interest using the user interface 142. When the interfacecomponent is selected, the controller circuit 136 may perform one ormore of the operations described in connection with method 200. Forexample, the select scan may correspond to a uterine examination todetect anomalies. During the selected scan, the controller circuit mayautomatically extract the object of interest, such as an endometriumcavity, from 3D ultrasound data of a volumetric ROI and visualize theobject of interest three dimensionally and/or rendered along avisualization plane (e.g., mid-coronal) of the object of interest.

FIG. 2 a flowchart of a method 200 for generating a visualization plane,in accordance with an embodiment. The method 200, for example, mayemploy structures or aspects of various embodiments (e.g., systemsand/or methods) discussed herein. In various embodiments, certain steps(or operations) may be omitted or added, certain steps may be combined,certain steps may be performed simultaneously, certain steps may beperformed concurrently, certain steps may be split into multiple steps,certain steps may be performed in a different order, or certain steps orseries of steps may be re-performed in an iterative fashion. In variousembodiments, portions, aspects, and/or variations of the method 200 maybe used as one or more algorithms to direct hardware to perform one ormore operations described herein. It may be noted, other methods may beused, in accordance with embodiments herein.

Beginning at 202, the controller circuit 136 acquires 3D ultrasound dataof a volumetric region of interest (ROI) from an ultrasound probe 126.For example, during acquisition the ultrasound probe 126 may bepositioned and/or traverse at one or more select positons on and/orwithin the patient corresponding to a volumetric ROI. Optionally, thecontroller circuit 136 may automatically adjust the acquisition settingsof the ultrasound probe 126 based on the volumetric ROI. For example,the predetermined scan (e.g., uterine scan) may be done transvaginallywithin the patient 402, which positions the ultrasound probe 126 withinthe object of interest, such as a cavity. The controller circuit 136 mayadjust the acquisition settings, such as the amplitude, pulse width,frequency and/or the like of the ultrasound pulses emitted by thetransducer elements 124 of the ultrasound probe 126 based on beingpositioned within the object of interest.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 136 mayautomatically instruct the ultrasound probe 126 to begin transmittingultrasonic pulses based on a received input from the user interface 142and/or activation of a tactile button on the ultrasound probe 126.

At least a portion of the ultrasound pulses are backscattered by thetissue of the volumetric ROI, and are received by the receiver 128. Thereceiver 128 converts the received echo signals into digitized signals.The digitized signals, as described herein, are beamformed by thebeamformer processor 130 and formed into IQ data pairs representative ofthe echo signals by the RF processor 132, and are received as 3Dultrasound data by the controller circuit 136. The 3D ultrasound datamay be processed by the controller circuit 136. For example, thecontroller circuit 136 may process the IQ data pairs to generate B-modedata, for example, sets of vector data values forming a frame of the 3Dultrasound data stored in the memory 140. Additionally or alternatively,as the 3D ultrasound data is being acquired the display 138 may displaya real-time 3D ultrasound image and/or an ultrasound image based on the3D ultrasound data while simultaneously and/or concurrently acquiring 3Dultrasound data.

At 204, the controller circuit 136 detects one or more plate-likestructures within the 3D ultrasound data of the volumetric ROI using aplate-like function. A plate-like structure may correspond to aninterconnection of voxels of the 3D ultrasound data that form a portionof the object of interest along a 3D plane. The multiscale, eigenvaluedecomposition is performed over a Hessian matrix and the resultingordered eigenvalues (e.g., λ₁, λ₂, λ₃), are examined by the controllercircuit 136. The controller circuit 136 may detect a plurality ofplate-like structures within the 3D ultrasound data by executing aHessian response algorithm stored in the memory 104 based on Equation 1.By utilizing Equation 1, the controller circuit 136 measures aplate-like (represented as the variable P_(σ)) of a plurality of voxelsusing eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix of the 3D ultrasound data. Forexample, the controller circuit 136 may identify a plate-like structureformed by relative positions of a plurality of voxels within the 3Dultrasound data. The variables a and c correspond to user defined and/orpredetermined parameters based on the object of interest and/orvolumetric ROI. The number of voxels included within the plate-likecalculation is based on a scale, represented as σ. The scale maycorrespond to a thickness of the voxels selected by the controllercircuit 136 to determine the plate-like structures within the 3Dultrasound data. The scale may be a predetermined value stored in thememory 104, user selection, and/or the like based on a size of theobject of interest. Additionally or alternatively, the controllercircuit 136 may calculate the plate-like structures within the 3Dultrasound data at different scales.

$\begin{matrix}{{P_{\sigma}(x)} = {\left( {1 - e^{\frac{- {\sum\lambda_{j}^{2}}}{2c^{2}}}} \right)\left( {1 - e^{- \frac{\sqrt{{\lambda_{3}}{({{\lambda_{3}} - {\lambda_{2}}})}}}{2a^{2}}}} \right)}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (1)}\end{matrix}$

At 206, the controller circuit 136 applies dynamic hysteresis thresholdsto the detected plate-like structures within the 3D ultrasound data. Thecontroller circuit 136 is configured to calculate a dynamic hysteresisthreshold for each of the detected plate-like structures. The dynamichysteresis threshold is configured by the controller circuit 136 todifferentiate voxels that correspond to anatomical structures ofinterest (e.g., the object of interest) within the detected plate-likestructures. The dynamic hysteresis threshold corresponds to a dynamicvalue calculated by the controller circuit 136 based on correspondinghistograms calculated from each of the detected plate-like structures.For example, the controller circuit 136 calculates a first and secondhysteresis threshold for detected plate-like structures based on thehistogram of the detected plate-like structures. The histograms may bederived by the controller circuit 136 from the voxel intensities alongthe detected plate-like structure. It may be noted that the histogramsand the dynamic hysteresis threshold may be different for at least twoof the detected plate-like structures of the 3D ultrasound data. Forexample, the first and second hysteresis threshold may be different.

In connection with FIGS. 3-4, the controller circuit 136 applies thedynamic hysteresis threshold to the voxels of a detected plate-likestructure 302 to generate an adjusted detected plate-like structure 400having binary voxel intensities.

FIG. 3 illustrates the detected plate-like structure 302 of the 3Dultrasound data 300, in accordance with an embodiment. The detectedplate-like structure 302 includes voxels have varying levels ofintensity representing anatomical structures within the 3D ultrasounddata 300 of the volumetric ROI such as the object of interest,background anatomical structure, and/or the like. The controller circuit136 is configured to apply the dynamic hysteresis thresholds calculatedfrom the detected plate-like structure 302 to the voxels of the detectedplate-like structure 302. For example, the controller circuit 136partitions the detected plate-like structure 302 into three separateregions. Region 1 is configured to contain all voxels with intensityvalues below a first hysteresis threshold. Region 1 represents theforeground region containing the anatomical structures of interest(e.g., the object of interest). Region 2 is configured to contain allvoxels with intensity values between the first hysteresis threshold anda second hysteresis threshold. Region 3 is configured to contain allvoxels with intensity values above the second hysteresis threshold.Region 2 represents an intermediate region and region 3 representsbackground anatomical structures. Each voxel in region 2 is analyzed bythe controller circuit 136 based on adjacent and/or neighboring voxels.For example, if a select voxel belonging to region 2 has a neighbor inregion 1, then the controller circuit 136 is configured to re-assign theselect voxel to region 1. The controller circuit 136 may repeat theprocess for each voxel within region 2. The remaining voxels in region 2may be assigned to region 3. Each voxel belonging to region 1 is thenassigned by the controller circuit 136 to a high binary intensity andeach voxel belonging to region 3 is assigned a low binary intensity.

The adjusted voxels of the detect plate-like structure 302 by thecontroller circuit 136 generates an adjusted detected plate-likestructure 400 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates the adjusted detected plate-like structure 400. Theadjusted detected plate-like structure 400 is formed by voxels havingbinary intensities (e.g., high, low) based on the detected plate-likestructure 302 and the dynamic hysteresis threshold. For example, thehigh intensity voxels may correspond to portions of the detectedplate-like structure 302 of an anatomical structure of interest (e.g.,the object of interest) corresponding to region 1, and the low intensityvoxels may correspond to portions of the detected plate-like structure302 not of an anatomical structure of interest corresponding to region3.

At 208, the controller circuit 136 identifies a select set of 3Dultrasound data corresponding to an object of interest within thevolumetric ROI. The controller circuit 136 may identify the select setof 3D ultrasound data by identifying the voxels of the detectedplate-like structures that correspond to the object of interest.

For example, the controller circuit 136 may detect the locations of thehigh intensity voxels within the adjusted detected plate-like structure400. Based on the continuity, shapes, contours, relative positions,and/or the like of the high intensity voxels, the controller circuit 136may identify one or more anatomical structures of interest 402-405. Thecontroller circuit 136 may utilize a machine learning algorithm storedin the memory 104 to identify the object of interest (e.g., endometriumcavity) based on characteristics of the anatomical structure of interest402-405 identified within the adjusted detected plate-like structure400. For example, the controller circuit 136 may compare a verticalposition, orientation, convex area, angular displacement, and/or thelike of the anatomical structures of interests 402-405 to identify whichcorresponds to the object of interest. The machine learning algorithmmay be defined using classifiers (e.g., random forest classifier),probabilities (e.g., Bayesian generative learning), and/or the likebased on priori information. For example, the priori information mayinclude a plurality of clinical examples (e.g., over 150) of the objectof interest within the 3D ultrasound data stored in the memory 140.

In various embodiments, the controller circuit 136 may calculateprobabilities of the anatomical structures of interests 402-405 beingthe object of interest utilizing the machine learning algorithm. Thecontroller circuit 136 may select one of the anatomical structures ofinterest 402-405 that has the highest probability relative to theremaining probabilities of the anatomical structures of interest402-405. For example, the controller circuit 136 may select theanatomical structure of interest 402 as the object of interest since theprobability corresponding to the anatomical structures of interest 402was higher relative to the probabilities of the remaining anatomicalstructures in the background 403-405. The controller circuit 136 mayinclude the voxels of the structure of interest 402 to a select set ofthe 3D ultrasound data from the volumetric ROI.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 136 may select oneor more candidate anatomical structures of interest that have aprobability over a predetermined threshold. For example, the controllercircuit 136 may instruct the display 138 to display the candidateanatomical structures of interest, and receive a user input from theuser interface 142 indicative of a selection of one of the candidateanatomical structure of interest as the object of interest.

Returning to FIG. 2, at 210 the controller circuit 136 segments theobject of interest from the select set of the 3D ultrasound data fromthe volumetric ROI. For example, the controller circuit 136 may executean active contour model (e.g., geometric deformable model, snake, and/orthe like) to define a boundary of the select set of the 3D ultrasounddata with respect to the volumetric ROI. The controller circuit 136, inconnection with FIG. 5, partitions the select set of the 3D ultrasounddata to form an object of interest 502.

FIG. 5 illustrates a segmentation 500 of the object of interest 502. Forexample, the object of interest 502 is formed by the select set of the3D ultrasound data and may be displayed on the display 138. Optionally,the controller circuit 136 may adjust a position and/or angle of theobject of interest 502. For example, the controller circuit 136 mayadjust a position by rotating the object of interest 502 about one ormore axes of rotation 504, 506, 508 based on a user input received bythe user interface 142. Additionally or alternatively, the controllercircuit 136 may execute a texture mapping (e.g., diffuse mapping)algorithm to add additional details to a surface area, topology, and/orthe like of the object of interest 502.

At 212, the controller circuit 136 may generate a visualization plane604 of the object of interest 502. The visualization plane 604 (FIGS.6A-B) can extend along axes 510, 512 (FIG. 5) of the object of interest502. The visualization plane 604 may correspond to a hypersurface of theobject of interest 502. For example, the object of interest 502 isutilized by the controller circuit 136 as a 3D manifold utilized todefine the hypersurface representing the visualization plane 604. Inconnection with FIGS. 6A-B, the controller circuit 136 may generate thevisualization plane 604 based on a surface fitting of the visualizationplane 604 to the object of interest 502.

FIG. 6A-B illustrates the visualization plane 604 with respect to thesegmentation of the object of interest 502, in accordance with anembodiment. The controller circuit 136 may calculate a polynomial (e.g.,Legendre polynomial) representative of the object of interest 502, whichis extrapolated by the controller circuit 136 outside the surface area606. For example, in connection with FIG. 6A, the controller circuit 136calculates a polynomial based on surface area 606 of the object ofinterest. In connection with FIG. 6B, the controller circuit 136 maygenerate the visualization plane 604 at different positions within theobject of interest 502. For example, the object of interest 502 may bean endometrium cavity. The controller circuit 136 may calculate apolynomial (e.g., Legendre polynomial) along the visualization plane 604interposed within the object of interest 502 to configure thevisualization plane 604 to represent a mid-coronal plane of the objectof interest 502.

At 214, the controller circuit 136 determines whether an error of thevisualization plane 604 is below an error threshold. For example, thecontroller circuit 136 may execute a least square regularizer (e.g.,least square energy minimization) to adjust the polynomial calculated at212. The controller circuit 136 may determine an error between thevisualization plane 604 and the object of interest 502.

If the error is not below the error threshold, then at 216 thecontroller circuit 136 may adjust the visualization plane 604. Forexample, the controller circuit 136 may continually adjust thepolynomial defining the visualization plane 604 at 212, 214, and 216 toadjust the visualization plane 604 with respect to the object ofinterest 502 until the error is below the error threshold.

If the error is below the error threshold, then at 218 the controllercircuit 136 may display the visualization plane 604 on the display 138.In connection with FIG. 7, the controller circuit 136 may instruct thedisplay 138 to display the visualization plane 604. Optionally, thecontroller circuit 136 may adjust a rotational position of thevisualization plane 604. In connection with FIGS. 8-9, the controllercircuit 136 may adjust a rotational position and/or view of thevisualization plane 604 by adjusting the visualization plane 604 withrespect to one or more axes 702, 704, 706 based on a user input receivedby the user interface 142. The axes 702, 704, 706 may represent threeorthogonal planes corresponding to a mid-coronal plane, a mid-sagittalplane, and a mid-axial plane.

Additionally or alternatively, the controller circuit 136 may displaythe visualization plane 604 as a plurality of two dimensional (2D)slices. For example, the controller circuit 136 may receive a user inputfrom the user interface 142 to adjust the visualization plane 604. Basedon the user input, the controller circuit 136 may automaticallypartition the visualization plane 604 into a plurality of 2D slices.Optionally, the controller circuit 136 may be configured to arrange theplurality of 2D slices as a polyline representative of the visualizationplane 604. The controller circuit 136 may receive one or more userinputs indicative of an adjustment to a position and/or orientation ofat least one of the 2D slices. Based on the change in position and/ororientation, the controller circuit 136 may be configured to adjust thevisualization plane 604.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different rotation 800 of the of the visualizationplane 604 relative to the visualization plane 604 shown in FIG. 7. Forexample, the controller circuit 136 may receive a user input indicativeof rotating the visualization plane 604 about the axis of rotation 702.

FIG. 9 illustrates a different rotation 900 of the of the visualizationplane 604 relative to the visualization plane 604 shown in FIGS. 7-8.For example, the controller circuit 136 may receive a user inputindicative of rotating the visualization plane 604 about the axis ofrotation 706.

Additionally or alternatively, the visualization plane 604 may includemultiple surfaces fit on the object of interest 502. Each surface isprojected along three orthogonal 2D planes. Each of the 2D planes mayrepresent one of the orthogonal planes corresponding to the axes 702,704, and 706. Optionally, the 2D planes may represent a mid-coronalplane, a mid-sagittal plane, and/or a mid-axial plane.

The ultrasound imaging system 100 of FIG. 1 may be embodied in asmall-sized system, such as laptop computer or pocket-sized system aswell as in a larger console-type system. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustratesmall-sized systems, while FIG. 12 illustrates a larger system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a 3D-capable miniaturized ultrasound system 1130having a probe 1132 that may be configured to acquire 3D ultrasonic dataor multi-plane ultrasonic data. For example, the probe 1132 may have a2D array of elements as discussed previously with respect to the probe.A user interface 1134 (that may also include an integrated display 1136)is provided to receive commands from an operator. As used herein,“miniaturized” means that the ultrasound system 1130 is a handheld orhand-carried device or is configured to be carried in a person's hand,pocket, briefcase-sized case, or backpack. For example, the ultrasoundsystem 1130 may be a hand-carried device having a size of a typicallaptop computer. The ultrasound system 1130 is easily portable by theoperator. The integrated display 1136 (e.g., an internal display) isconfigured to display, for example, one or more medical images.

The ultrasonic data may be sent to an external device 1138 via a wiredor wireless network 1140 (or direct connection, for example, via aserial or parallel cable or USB port). In some embodiments, the externaldevice 1138 may be a computer or a workstation having a display.Alternatively, the external device 1138 may be a separate externaldisplay or a printer capable of receiving image data from the handcarried ultrasound system 1130 and of displaying or printing images thatmay have greater resolution than the integrated display 1136.

FIG. 11 illustrates a hand carried or pocket-sized ultrasound imagingsystem 1200 wherein the display 1252 and user interface 1254 form asingle unit. By way of example, the pocket-sized ultrasound imagingsystem 1200 may be a pocket-sized or hand-sized ultrasound systemapproximately 2 inches wide, approximately 4 inches in length, andapproximately 0.5 inches in depth and weighs less than 3 ounces. Thepocket-sized ultrasound imaging system 1200 generally includes thedisplay 1252, user interface 1254, which may or may not include akeyboard-type interface and an input/output (I/O) port for connection toa scanning device, for example, an ultrasound probe 1256. The display1252 may be, for example, a 320×320 pixel color LCD display (on which amedical image 1290 may be displayed). A typewriter-like keyboard 1280 ofbuttons 1282 may optionally be included in the user interface 1254.

Multi-function controls 1284 may each be assigned functions inaccordance with the mode of system operation (e.g., displaying differentviews). Therefore, each of the multi-function controls 1284 may beconfigured to provide a plurality of different actions. One or moreinterface components, such as label display areas 1286 associated withthe multi-function controls 1284 may be included as necessary on thedisplay 1252. The system 1200 may also have additional keys and/orcontrols 1288 for special purpose functions, which may include, but arenot limited to “freeze,” “depth control,” “gain control,” “color-mode,”“print,” and “store.”

One or more of the label display areas 1286 may include labels 1292 toindicate the view being displayed or allow a user to select a differentview of the imaged object to display. The selection of different viewsalso may be provided through the associated multi-function control 1284.The display 1252 may also have one or more interface componentscorresponding to a textual display area 1294 for displaying informationrelating to the displayed image view (e.g., a label associated with thedisplayed image).

It may be noted that the various embodiments may be implemented inconnection with miniaturized or small-sized ultrasound systems havingdifferent dimensions, weights, and power consumption. For example, thepocket-sized ultrasound imaging system 1200 and the miniaturizedultrasound system 1130 may provide the same scanning and processingfunctionality as the system 100.

FIG. 12 illustrates an ultrasound imaging system 1300 provided on amovable base 1302. The portable ultrasound imaging system 1300 may alsobe referred to as a cart-based system. A display 1304 and user interface1306 are provided and it should be understood that the display 1304 maybe separate or separable from the user interface 1306. The userinterface 1306 may optionally be a touchscreen, allowing the operator toselect options by touching displayed graphics, icons, and the like.

The user interface 1306 also includes control buttons 1308 that may beused to control the portable ultrasound imaging system 1300 as desiredor needed, and/or as typically provided. The user interface 1306provides multiple interface options that the user may physicallymanipulate to interact with ultrasound data and other data that may bedisplayed, as well as to input information and set and change scanningparameters and viewing angles, and/or the like. For example, a keyboard1310, trackball 1312 and/or multi-function controls 1314 may beprovided.

It may be noted that the various embodiments may be implemented inhardware, software or a combination thereof. The various embodimentsand/or components, for example, the modules, or components andcontrollers therein, also may be implemented as part of one or morecomputers or processors. The computer or processor may include acomputing device, an input device, a display unit and an interface, forexample, for accessing the Internet. The computer or processor mayinclude a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to acommunication bus. The computer or processor may also include a memory.The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory(ROM). The computer or processor further may include a storage device,which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as asolid-state drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage devicemay also be other similar means for loading computer programs or otherinstructions into the computer or processor.

As used herein, the term “computer,” “subsystem” or “module” may includeany processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systemsusing microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), ASICs,logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executingthe functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only,and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/ormeaning of the term “computer”.

The computer or processor executes a set of instructions that are storedin one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. Thestorage elements may also store data or other information as desired orneeded. The storage element may be in the form of an information sourceor a physical memory element within a processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct thecomputer or processor as a processing machine to perform specificoperations such as the methods and processes of the various embodiments.The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. Thesoftware may be in various forms such as system software or applicationsoftware and which may be embodied as a tangible and non-transitorycomputer readable medium. Further, the software may be in the form of acollection of separate programs or modules, a program module within alarger program or a portion of a program module. The software also mayinclude modular programming in the form of object-oriented programmingThe processing of input data by the processing machine may be inresponse to operator commands, or in response to results of previousprocessing, or in response to a request made by another processingmachine.

As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configuredto” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed,constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task oroperation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an objectthat is merely capable of being modified to perform the task oroperation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as usedherein. Instead, the use of “configured to” as used herein denotesstructural adaptations or characteristics, and denotes structuralrequirements of any structure, limitation, or element that is describedas being “configured to” perform the task or operation. For example, acontroller circuit, processor, or computer that is “configured to”perform a task or operation may be understood as being particularlystructured to perform the task or operation (e.g., having one or moreprograms or instructions stored thereon or used in conjunction therewithtailored or intended to perform the task or operation, and/or having anarrangement of processing circuitry tailored or intended to perform thetask or operation). For the purposes of clarity and the avoidance ofdoubt, a general purpose computer (which may become “configured to”perform the task or operation if appropriately programmed) is not“configured to” perform a task or operation unless or until specificallyprogrammed or structurally modified to perform the task or operation.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by acomputer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions andtypes of materials described herein are intended to define theparameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting andare merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms“including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents ofthe respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in thefollowing claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. areused merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numericalrequirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the followingclaims are not written in means-plus-function format and are notintended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless and untilsuch claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed bya statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the various embodiments, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or the examples includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, the method comprising: acquiring threedimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region of interest(ROI) from an ultrasound probe; identifying a select set of the 3Dultrasound data corresponding to an object of interest within thevolumetric ROI; segmenting the object of interest from the select set ofthe 3D ultrasound data; generating a visualization plane of the objectof interest; and displaying the visualization plane on a display.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the visualization plane is projected alongthree orthogonal two dimensional (2D) planes.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein one of the 2D planes correspond to a mid-coronal plane, amid-sagittal plane, or a mid-axial plane.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the visualization plane is displayed as a plurality of twodimensional (2D) slices, and further comprising arranging the 2D slicesas a polyline.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving auser input indicative of adjusting an orientation of at least one of the2D slices, and adjusting the visualization plane based on theorientation of the at least one of the 2D slices.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising detecting a plurality of plate-like structureswithin the 3D ultrasound data of the volumetric ROI.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising applying a dynamic hysteresis threshold toeach of the plurality of plate-like structures by adjusting voxelintensities of the plurality of plate-like structures.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the dynamic hysteresis threshold applied to a firstplate-like structure is based on a histogram of the first plate-likestructure.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of plate-likestructures are detected based on a Hessian response algorithm.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the select set of the 3D ultrasound data isidentified utilizing a machine learning algorithm.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the visualization plane is a hypersurface of the objectof interest.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving auser input indicative of a rotation of the visualization plane about arotational axis.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:adjusting the visualization plane of the object of interest based on therotation to form an adjusted visualization plane; and displaying theadjusted visualization plane on the display.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the object of interest is an endometrium cavity
 15. Anultrasound imaging system comprising: an ultrasound probe configured toacquire three dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region ofinterest (ROI); a display; a memory configured to store programmedinstructions; and a controller circuit having one or more processors,the controller circuit is configured to execute the programmedinstructions stored in the memory, wherein the controller circuit whenexecuting the programmed instructions perform the following operations:collect the 3D ultrasound data from an ultrasound probe; identify aselect set of the 3D ultrasound data corresponding to an object ofinterest within the volumetric ROI; segment the object of interest fromthe select set of the 3D ultrasound data; generate a visualization planeof the object of interest; and display the visualization plane on thedisplay.
 16. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 15, wherein thecontroller circuit when executing the programmed instructions furtherdetects a plurality of plate-like structures within the 3D ultrasounddata of the volumetric ROI.
 17. The ultrasound imaging system of claim16, wherein the controller circuit when executing the programmedinstructions further applies a dynamic hysteresis threshold to each ofthe plurality of plate-like structures by adjusting voxel intensities ofthe plurality of plate-like structures.
 18. The ultrasound imagingsystem of claim 15, wherein the controller circuit when executing theprogrammed instructions further receives a user input indicative of arotation of the visualization plane about an axis.
 19. A tangible andnon-transitory computer readable medium comprising one or more computersoftware modules configured to direct one or more processors to: acquirethree dimensional (3D) ultrasound data of a volumetric region ofinterest (ROI) from an ultrasound probe; identify a select set of the 3Dultrasound data corresponding to an object of interest within thevolumetric ROI; segment the object of interest from the select set ofthe 3D ultrasound data; generate a visualization plane of the object ofinterest; and display the visualization plane on a display.
 20. Thetangible and non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19,wherein the one or more processors are further directed to: detect aplurality of plate-like structures within the 3D ultrasound data of thevolumetric ROI; and apply a dynamic hysteresis threshold to each of theplurality of plate-like structures by adjusting voxel intensities of theplurality of plate-like structures.